Owned by Mel Fair Frederick, Maryland

1959 GMC 860

"Cannon Ball"

More pictures of this old truck

Story by John Milliman, Editor:

"Every show I go to, everyone says 'Hey! That's Fred's truck!" explained Mel Fair, owner of this beautifully restored 1959 GMC 860 COE road tractor, commonly called a "Cannon Ball."

Indeed they do as this particular truck was the previous owner's favorite among his extensive collection of GMC trucks.

"It's amazing the recognition this truck gets," said Fair.

Formerly owned by the late Fred Craig of Lorton, Virginia -- a well-known, well-liked and well-travelled collector of antique GMCs -- the truck came into Fair's possession after Craig lost his battle with leukemia several year's ago.

"I told Fred 'whenever you sell it, I want it.'" Fair explained. "He said, 'it'll never happen.'"

Craig bought the truck in Maine in an unrestored condition.

"It was pretty rough," Fair said. "But he jumped in it and drove it home [to Virginia] as only Fred would do. It would only do 55 MPH and that wouldn't do. So after he got it home, he upgraded the transmission and the suspension. It has a rubber block double beam walking block suspension and a 13-speed Roadranger with a double over drive."

Powered by the truck's original Detroit Diesel 6-71 engine, Fair said it runs out of power before he runs out of gears.

"It makes a lot of good noise, though," he said with a grin. "Put a trailer on it and it runs nice."

At Craig's estate sale of his collection after his passing, Fair also purchased from the family a stainless steel Great Dane reefer trailer to go with the truck. The general manager of a large International truck dealership, Fair also owns an antique IH Transtar cabover road tractor, as well as a 1980's vintage Ford Bronco that he's retrofitted with the IH-manufactured 7.3 liter Powerstroke diesel engine. He also maintains a "collection of Harley's."

Fair's plan for the truck is pretty simple.

"This truck has an air-conditioned and heated garage. I'm just going to maintain it and take it to shows," he said.

Fair's friend is memorialized on the side of the truck. Inside, many mementos remain of Craig's. Check the pictures on the Bolt Bucket.

"He rides in there," Fair explained. "That's Fred's stuff -- the pillow, the blanket, the dream catcher -- all where he left it."

Many happy memories of his friend keep him company in the truck.

"Where ever Fred sat down, there was going to be a party."

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